The waiting is near done, my WIP is revealed. The paranormal brothers are back and now it’s time to decide; am I in or out?

This year I feel ahead of the game. Whilst a pantser by nature, when it comes to writing, this time round I’m developing from two bases.

A sequel to last years novel called The Bequest.

Developing an unfinished short story from way back that was serialised here on my blog.

Both focus on the brothers Carmichael and their intrigue into paranormal investigations. Initially sceptics, their experiences have led to a range of incidents that science alone cannot explain. If you’ve read the short stories then comments on those are directly responsible for both The Bequest and the WIP below. I thank you for that.

Without further ado, here is the WIP as it currently stands.

The Blurb

MarshBank House is haunted, so say the locals. It consumes people, or sends them to the lunatic asylum.

Alan and Joseph Carmichael run a paranormal investigation sideline. Two years ago they lost Conrad while helping Emma Strickland with her late father’s estate. He went into the house and never came back. He was not the first.

Behind the house lies a marsh that gave rise to the name. A Black Marsh with a long forgotten past. One that bleeds out every so often and consumes what it can, laying waste to the rest.

The brothers are done mourning, they want answers. They are not alone. The dead are walking and the film between past and present grows thin.

Journey with Templars, howling ruins and a pub with the world’s longest serving landlord.

So, there we are. Actually prepared and yet still deciding if November is the right place to push this forwards or use next years Camp NaNo months.

To write… or not to write? That is the question.

Anyone wanting to buddy up is welcome to do so. Even if I don’t do it this year, you will be on my dashboard for next time!

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Yes I’m currently on Chapter 4 with 17k words. Scary stuff…oh, I tried to comment on one of your posts, but I don’t think it appeared. Did you see one or is it in the spam bin? Had that problem once before 🤕

It’s the sequel to last years novel and will incorporate elements from the short stories on the paranormal brothers from here. They stopped before completing the trail because it was telling me there was more to them. Hopefully it will pan out!

We shall see! Been pondering it today in fact. It seems characters from the previous book are a shade annoyed the sequel isn’t up and running already. Time is my main issue with NaNo. I know I can do it, but it needs empty hours with no interruptions lol

Oh my, no pressure then. I am actually in awe by the positive messages of support. I really was dithering despite having this prepared to go out. Now I’m tipping well onto the way to giving it a proper go.

Parts of the Bequest, or it’s character tests are filed under “The Bequest.” You might have unwittingly come across them as BUYB posts. The novel isn’t published yet as there is some editing to do before it reaches the end product.

I just need some time away from that to re-charge 🙂

Seriously getting some “write” votes here. I was thinking maybe tumbleweed would allow me to not write lol

How can you wait? If you’re story’s bursting to come out, surely you have to write it now. Although part of me understands NaNoWriMo, most of me wonders how people can have a novel inside them and then they wait until November to let it out. For me, if it’s there, it’s got to be written down.

April, a lot of people who do NaNoWriMo are first time novelists who are using the community challenge to give them the encouragement they need to get started. Others, like myself, are full time authors who are always working on one novel or another and participate for various reasons. I’m not sure there are many writers who hold on to an idea all year just for NaNo! But maybe there are some and maybe that’s what works for them. We are all different.

There is no shortage of ideas, the imagination is abundant with them, so there is no need to be worried that an idea will vanish if you don’t write it immediately.

Besides, November is just around the corner, it’s not exactly difficult to do a bit of prep work now, ready to start the draft in 10 days. That’s not a long wait at all 😉

Just tossing my angle in. For me, sometimes a story has to sit. If I crack it out before it’s ready then it loses muchness (to coin a certain Hatter’s turn of phrase). Small things like chatting to the characters and drifting scenes and locations. I do much of this before writing anything at all. I don’t think there actually is a right or wrong way to do it. Some sit with traditional methods and some flow with Kings system. Inbetween are a multitude of variations that creatives land on to meet their own needs.

Ha, ha, great question April. I have several “novels” waiting to “burst out.” NaNo acts as a “get on with it” kick up the backside. For most of the year I am still working on other projects, finishing off, editing and now aiming to publish. I also spent a lot of time on social media development too. That has taken time away from writing. I rather think the balance is wrong, which is my big dither point over this!!!

Thanks Holly, last year I had no plans at all and deployed full pantser tactics. That worked very well on reflection! I’ve buddied up with quite a few people on here now too. I find the sense of community support a good motivator.

I’m going for it. What will be will be. If stuff gets in my way so be it but I have my schedule that I plan on sticking to.
At least you have the blurb Gary…..sure give it a go and see where it goes. 😁
We know you want to! 😉

Good show Gloria, Just take it at a realistic pace for you and if stuff gets in the way then at least words have been written. Loads of other Camps to finish things off if you want a month target of your own choosing and moral support from Campers like me 🙂

As for me… I rather think bloggers have tipped the scales. You are right I want to, but I keep looking at time availability and think “When???! 🙂

Thanks Lucy, I try and look out for walls of any description!! My method is to set 20K as target and then use 5K increments afterwards to try and ignore the actual target. As long as I hit my targets I’m happy enough 🙂

Thanks Mickey, I’ve always like the concept of weak point in time and space. In fiction it’s easy to use that to draw in ghosts from the past into the present, or vice versa.

The landlord is a curio to me at the moment too. I’ve written three books (not published yet) in which he is a constant. His pub is also the stage of many queer happenings. It got me thinking that maybe he is at least as old as the pub which makes he role more subtle and, in many cases, the source of comedic relief. I may put up some extracts with him in to test what readers think 🙂

Remember, you’re only competing against yourself, Gary. I always found that quite motivating as I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. Having done NaNo four times I can say it’s a wonderful way to get that first draft out of your head. Your blurb sounds fab and we NEED your book!! Go for it! Share your word count on FB and tag us in so we can keep you accountable. Do everything you can to free up the time and space you need and devote it to your writing. Good luck x

I addressed the competitive elements in my previous post in that heed what I say and not as I do fashion. I actually did it last year and hit nearly 60K. This “should” be easier in the sense that it follows on from the last book. Time is my real enemy and I’m trying to identify blocks of time to write in. A case of finding the habit again I fear!

Thanks Ryan, I’m still weighing it up this year even if comments here are pushing for me to do it! The full NaNoWriMo is time demanding as my previous post talks about. I’m actually trying to rally people for the easier introductions next year in CampNaNo. Exactly the same, but the writer sets their own goal. Helps generate a writing habit and boosts confidence with a buddy network of people doing exactly the same thing. I’m aiming to tempt people to join in on those next year. It’s a great introduction to the process, even if one never does the main event!

Thanks for dropping in. WIP previews are always rich in cognitive dissonance as it open up the idea to anyone who drops by. Mind you, that’s writing for you I guess!